‘Poor work ethic’ tweet forces Wits University professor to resign

BLISTERING STATEMENT

- XOLILE MTEMBU

PROFESSOR Srila Roy, a senior academic at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), has resigned following the backlash after her social media post in which she claimed South Africans “have little ambition, are complacent and have a poor work ethic”, prompted widespread outrage.

Roy, who was the head of the Sociology Department, made the remarks on X on February 19 in response to a debate about foreign academics in South African universities.

Her comments were swiftly deleted, but not before drawing fierce criticism from student bodies, academic associations and political groups alike.

The South African Sociological Association (Sasa) blasted her words as classist, racist and xenophobic, while the university confirmed it had received multiple complaints, and it was addressing the matter under its policies.

The Sasa insisted her statements contradicted both its constitutional bylaws and the principles of South African higher education.